First meat birds

[humblehillsfarm]

I was given 20 meat birds, all male because they were ordered for a research study. They are 1.5 weeks old. I love my laying flock dearly so this is scary territory! My first impression is that the chicks stick and feel squishy. They don’t really move. Just sorta lay there. I made a huge free ranging area for them that I was hoping they would use, even though they won’t be there for long, I know. Anyways, hopefully the journey is a smooth one!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Welcome to the world of Meat birds. Are they cornish x? Do you plan on processing them yourself? Maybe they are just shell shocked from their move, as mine didn't slow down in activity until a month old, and would still range a bit even at 7 weeks. I feed mine 20% protein feed as much as they want until about three weeks old, then limit to an hour of feeding twice a day. Any specific questions feel free to ask!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Welcome to the world of Meat birds. Are they cornish x? Do you plan on processing them yourself? Maybe they are just shell shocked from their move, as mine didn't slow down in activity until a month old, and would still range a bit even at 7 weeks. I feed mine 20% protein feed as much as they want until about three weeks old, then limit to an hour of feeding twice a day. Any specific questions feel free to ask!

They are Cornish X. I will be processing them with help. The neighbor had a setup and is lending his time to help. I’m pretty nervous myself!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Here's a thread about how I raise cornish. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...of-meaties-just-arrived-26-cornish-x.1393220/
And my experience processing. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-experience-pic-heavy-only-1-graphic.1407952/

 

[poultryprofessor]

How long have you had them? If you only just got them, it isn't uncommon for chicks to be kind of lethargic while they are warming up and getting acclimated.

If you've had them the whole 1.5 weeks, I would potentially be concerned. What temperature do you have their space at?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

How long have you had them? If you only just got them, it isn't uncommon for chicks to be kind of lethargic while they are warming up and getting acclimated.

If you've had them the whole 1.5 weeks, I would potentially be concerned. What temperature do you have their space at?

I acquired them when they were 1.5 weeks old. I have a radiant heater that they have avoided, but didn’t want to do a heat lamp because of the fire risk. Last night it was 50 degrees and I didn’t realize until this morning someone had unplugged my heater but the chicks seemed fine and were at the feeder eating.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Here's a thread about how I raise cornish. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...of-meaties-just-arrived-26-cornish-x.1393220/
And my experience processing. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-experience-pic-heavy-only-1-graphic.1407952/

I saved this to take a gander at when I get a little more time! I’ve started a new job so I haven’t been as active on BYC

 

[poultryprofessor]

I acquired them when they were 1.5 weeks old. I have a radiant heater that they have avoided, but didn’t want to do a heat lamp because of the fire risk. Last night it was 50 degrees and I didn’t realize until this morning someone had unplugged my heater but the chicks seemed fine and were at the feeder eating.

They definitely got chilled. At that age, they still can't regulate their own body temperature. They need a heat source.

They should be OK- just need to get them warmed up.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

They definitely got chilled. At that age, they still can't regulate their own body temperature. They need a heat source.

They should be OK- just need to get them warmed up.

I plugged it back in. The last two days, when they first arrived, they had the heater and didn’t use it. It had also been in the 80s. I’ve brooded four rounds of chicks for lashing hens before but have never had them reject a heat source? I wasn’t initially worried because I have a mom with four babies that are within a few days of age as the meat chickens and they have been out and about for the last week and not been using mom for warmth except at night.